The Red Heart Yarn Brand – Enduring Quality

The Red Heart Yarn brand has been around since 1936. Currently sold through the Coats and Clark Company, which has been in the business of thread and textile manufacturing for over 180 years, the Red Heart Yarn brand is the number one selling brand of yarn currently sold in the United States. They offer a wide variety of colors, styles, and weights of yarn, sold according to the newly redesigned standards of yarn weight – 1) super fine; 2) fine 3) light (sport weight); 4) medium (worsted weight); 5) bulky (chunky weight); and 6) super bulky (bulky weight). Red Heart Yarn is easily available at many retail and craft stores as well as the internet, and has proved to be quality yarn.

Red Heart Yarn has come up with two innovations that have proved beneficial to anyone knitting or crocheting. The introduction of 100% acrylic yarn was easier to handle and very durable. The introduction of ‘super saver’ skeins -- skeins of yarn in larger quantities without a dye-lot number -- is another innovation by Read Heart Yarn. This method allows greater quantities of yarn at a more affordable price, without sacrificing quality. These innovations illustrate Red Heart Yarn’s commitment to meeting the needs of consumers, allowing them to buy in larger quantities at lower prices.

Linda Heating, textiles and clothing specialist, gives the following recommendations when buying yarn:

1. Observe the color – it should be even throughout.
2. Check the dye-lot numbers against each other to make sure they’re the same. (Note: this doesn’t apply to Red Heart Yarn’s ‘super saver’ skeins.)
3. Twist -- check to see that the yarn appears to be twisted firmly and exhibits an even thickness.
4. Resiliency – the yarn should have some bounce to it when squeezed or stretched.
5. Quantity -- make sure the quantity of yarn you purchase is enough for the finished project!

Experts in the arts of crocheting and knitting suggest that the quality of yarn being used in a piece or project is extremely important. The time, effort, and precision put into these handmade articles are certainly worthy of high quality like that of Red Heart Yarn. Factor in the likelihood that these handmade articles are either going to treasured in a family for generations and that they are going to be highly valued in the marketplace because of their craftsmanship, and the quality of yarn becomes an even more important factor.

While a company’s level of giving back to the community doesn’t necessarily affect the quality of the yarn, it certainly may affect your choice as a consumer. Red Heart Yarn sponsors a variety of programs that give back to the community, including 4-H programs and wearable art and quilting contests. Red Heart Yarn also sponsors several public television programs dedicated to the education and enhancement of those young and involved in sewing and needlework